Binge drinking culture must be confronted in schools, say ASTI

IRELAND’S binge drinking culture must be tackled in schools, to discourage young people from developing dangerous habits with alcohol and drugs, a teachers leader said last night.

After another European report highlighted the alarming levels of binge drinking in Ireland this week, Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) president Pat Cahill said the Government must move towards better education on these issues for children.

“We are hearing every day about doctors treating boys and girls with signs of drink and drug abuse, but children simply don’t realise how addictive they are at the time,” Mr Cahill said.

“They are being exposed to alcohol and drugs at an earlier age all the time, and have more disposable income to spend on them. Schools are one of the first places these problems can be identified, but it’s only being dealt with in the Transition Year curriculum,” the ASTI president said.